Nintendo announces Linke, female version of Link from Zelda

On Thursday, Nintendo announced a myriad of new titles and features arriving in the coming months, but a few stand out — including a gender-bending take on one the most popular videogame heroes.

Hyrule Warriors, the 2014 Wii U game, will be released on 3DS as Hyrule Warriors Legends on March 25, and the new edition introduces Linkle, a female version of Legend of Zelda hero Link. Linkle, “a girl who lives in a small village filled with Cuccos,” sports two crossbows in lieu of a Master Sword.

Also in the Zelda universe, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD is headed to the Wii U. It’s a makeover of the 2006 Wii and GameCube game, which raked positive reviews. It’s pegged for a March 4 release and will be accompanied by an Amiibo figurine featuring Wolf Link and Midna. Pre-orders also include the game’s soundtrack.

As for another Nintendo tentpole, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and for 3DS is adding an iconic new character: Cloud Strife from Final Fantasy VII. FF VII is one of the most influential role-playing games, and Cloud is the face of it. (Sony announced a PlayStation 4 remake of the game during June’s E3.)

Some other Nintendo highlights:

The first three Pokémon games — Red, Blue, and Yellow — hit the Nintendo eShop on Feb. 27 on the 3DS.

Wii U’s Star Fox Zero has a new release date of April 22. The title was originally slated for a Nov. 20 release, but was delayed.

A Wii U Deluxe Set bundle loaded with Smash Bros. and Splatoon arrives for the holidays. Release date TBA.

In December, Super Mario Maker gets a deep web portal to browse levels.

• By Will Robinson